Retracting type theater chair



Dec. 20, 1949 J. G. PRossER ETAL 2,492,109

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J. G. PROSSER TAL RETRACTING TYPE THEATER CHAIR Dec. 20, 1949 Filed Juneze. 194s y Patented Dec. 2o, 1949` .f

2,492,109` RETRACTING TYPE THEATER CHAIR Joseph G. Prosser and Thomas W. Prosser, Pasadena, Calif., assignors to American Seating Company, Grand Rapids, Mich., a corporation of New Jersey Applieatiun Junezs, 194s, serial No. 679,357

s claims. (ci. 155-116) The present invention relates to chairs and `"niore particularly to chairs of the retracting type for use in theaters, auditoriums and the like. This `application is a continuation-in-part of our "eo-pending application Serial No. 679,354, filed "June 26, 1946.

The primary objects of the invention are to pro- "vide an improved chair` of the retracting type ywherein the occupant may move the seat rearwardlyin order to permit others to pass in front fof him without his having to rise from the seat; *to "provide such a chair having a combination Ililik and roller or link and sliding block mech- 'anismfor mounting the chair back and seat,

l'which mechanism insures easy and comfortable "liorwardand rearward movements and which is concealed below the level of the chair seat; to Fprovide such a chair which when retracted occupies aminimum of space in the rear of the chair; to provide such a chair having improved *means for mounting on spaced chair-supporting standards; and in general to provide such a re- `"tracting chair which is efficient in operation, reasonably "economical in manufacture and attracltiye in appearance. Y

` Illustrative embodiments of the invention are "shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein: -l Figure 1 is a perspective view of a retracting jchair showing the chair seat and back in their "normal, forward `positions for occupancy;

"Figure 2 is a perspective View similar to Figure "lishowingthe chair seat and back in their retracted positions;

Figure 3 is an inside elevational view of the mounting and operating mechanism at the leftharid side of the chair, certain parts thereof beling shown in vertical section taken on line 3-3 r`oflig`ure 4, and the parts of the operating mechanism being shown in .their forward positions;

` Figure 4 is a fragmentary front elevational View of the left-hand side of the chair;

` Figure 5 is a fragmentary inside elevational `view showing the parts of the operating mechalnism in their rearward or retracted positions; l Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional lview taken on line 6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a sectional view similar to Figure 6 11 and showing a modied construction;

1 Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 3 and show- "ing another modied form of the invention, the parts of the operating mechanism being shown in `their forward positions;

Figure 9 is a view of the same with the parts loffthe operating mechanism being shown in their ll'felwmdor retracted positions; and

Figure 10 is an enlarged sectional view thereof taken on line III- I0 of Figure 8.

Referring now in detail to these drawings and referring rst particularly toFigures 1 through 6, the retracting chair there shown is mounted on a frame comprising spaced, upright, chairsupporting standards I having inwardly projecting lugs 2 thereon provided with vertical studreceiving slots 3, mounting members 4 having outwardly turned anges 5 with depending, threaded studs 6 adapted to tit into the slots 3, nuts 1 threaded on the lower ends of the studs 6; and a transverse bar 8 secured as by welding to the opposite mounting members 4. The frame thus formed is of sturdy and rigid construction. If desired, members 9 of rubber, cork or other resilient material may be interposed between the anges 5 of the mounting members and the lugs 2 on the standards for absorbing any vibration of the chair during its retracting and returning movements.

The mounting and operating mechanisms on opposite sides of the chair being of like construction, only o ne side is shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5 and hereinafter described. The mounting member 4 has a forwardly and upwardly extending arm I0 on the upper end of which is mounted a guide block or roller II thus forming guides at opposite sides of the frame. A combination seat and back support or carrier I2 is provided with a forwardly-rearwardly extending race or way I3 therein which engages in a groove III in the guide roller Il (see Figure 6) and the carrier I2 is thus mounted on the chair frame for forward and rearward sliding movements.

A rear supporting member or link I5 has its lower end pivotally connected to the mounting member 4. A side plate I6 of generally triangular shape is pivotally connected to the upper end of the rear supporting link I5 and to the rearward end of the carrier I2. This side plate I6 has a forwardly and upwardly extending portion having an inclined race or way I'I therein, which engages in a groove I8 in the guide roller II (see Figure 6) and the side plate I6 is thus mounted for forward and rearward movement with the carrier I2 and rear supporting link I5, and for turning movement about a horizontal axis to thus vary its angular inclination. This turning movement of the side plate I6 takes place about the pivotal connection of the side plate to the rear supporting link I5, and is effected during the retracting and returning movements of the chair by the action of the guide roller II on the inclined way I1 of the side plate. l Y

amados is also turnable about a horizontal axis so that y it may be raised in order touiackilitate Isvtv eeping under the chair. When in its vlowered'position of occupancy, the seat is supportedfrwardly qi its axis of turning moveinei otfs'tops 26 on the carriers l2, onrlfzliichl stops ,thdeal arms 23 rest.

An equalizing strut 21 is desirablyecnred as by welding to the rear supporting links l5 on opposite sides of the chair so that these `links are rigidly secured in assembly and move in uni- Vson, thus addingto `the, stability .ofldthe structure. ""Wl'en they chair is rtravcted,tney "seatfmves rearwardlyin a .substantially straight ..path,y while ,the. back moi/,es reaiwagdlyand also assumes a, near-,vertical position thus .,tominiimizethe space required for rie/tr'action in" .the rearof theu chair. `Ferward ,andrearward-movementsof `the chair are,'stopped lbystop,means. comprising .the ends of the 'ways .I3 V andv l'lyvgl'iich .Contact theguides .orrollerslL Figures 1,-6 inclusive the guides Il are .shown in V,the form offrellersvbut it `will be understood'.,that stationary blecks-lmay ,be employed .in place of rollers.' Suchfalbloch is `illustrated `.in Figure Tand as .shown.compriseslaminated 4metal plates28 arrangedlzto ferm a ygroove 29 .for the carrier,|21`.a.nd agroove139for the side plate-L61.. .fllhesemetal platesmay .desirablybe .inadepf ..oil-lss?metal whichdees not reduire [periodic lubrication'.

` lFigures 8-10 inclusive illustrate the `Iirivention in amodied Construction, wlwrenthesideplate l I6 .heerue .elet Orr/.arl le. Ente whihexieeds desde 'ein' H igen-.the carrier i i fghie retraits -thbekdllw assume@ .near v rtl, near the and` f itS'rearr/.egd ,arresting 'ment, and the .arrangementvreplacesi the forward and upwardextension and way t] onthevside .plate shown Ain-Ilgure's 1.-6 .AS shown in Figure ,10, the guide block or roller -l-i I of this constructionhasonly one groove t28 for engagement kby the `way H 3 .on `the Carrier ll 2.

It will thus be seen; that a retractingcifra-ir has been provided having a novel combination of links and rollers..,in .wh-ichthe, mounting and .operating .mechanism is. for ,the most part, Llocated out of `sight below v.theseat level, and which mechanismis .arranged 4`for veasyand `comfortable forwardfrearward ymtu.ement-s of the kchair. lWhile but several -specicenrbodirnents .of the chair have been herein shown l,and described, it will be understod@thatnumerous de tails .ofthe constructionsshown maybe altered or` omittedwithout departing ,from rthe.-spiritof the invention as the ,same is delinedbyy the iollowing claims. wherein z the -woird #freinet Lis to be construed .broadly ,encuenta include either a vunitary assembly or a paiimoispacedhair standards `whose only rigid cohnetionds the ,iloor upon which such pair of standards is installed.

k-.We claim:

1..In a chair, a frame havingguides atopposite sides thereof, `carriers having waysengaging the guides for forward and rearward .movement thereon, a chair .seatmounted .on .therarriers cal positionl and movable forwardly and rearwardly therewith, side plates pivotally connected to said carriers respectively and having forwardly-upwardly inclined ways engaging the guides for forwardrearward rocking movement thereon, rear supporting links having their lower ends pivotally Jassociated withthe trarne and .theirupper ends tof: the side -plates respectively, a chair back mounted on the side plates, and stop means for limiting the forward and 'rearward movements of the carriers.

- 2; In a chair, a frame having guides at opposite sides thereof, ,carriers having Ways engaging the guides for forwardl and rearward movement therel. plates pivotally connected to said carriers respecvtively and' having forwardly-upwardly inclined ways...engaging the guides for forward-rearward rocking movement thereon, rear supporting links y having their lower endspivotallyasscciated with the frame .and their upper lends pivotallywcond nectedto thesid/e plates respectively, a chair black mounted, on the vside plates, a strut connecting the rearsupporting links in rigid assembly, and stop means for limiting the forward and rearward .movements-of thecarriers. i

a chair, a frame .having guides at eppositesides thereof, carriersI h aving ,ways engaging the guides ,for forward and rearward movement thereon, a chair seat pivotally.; mounted on the v carriers movable forwardly and rearwardly with thecarriers and turnable about ahorizontal axis, ,means on the/carriers for supportinggthe seat .in a lowered position for .occupencv side.,plates pivotally connected to said carriers respectively land having forwardly-.upwardly inclined ways eegaineihe guides forrforwardrrearwerdrocking movementlY thereon, rear supporting `links having their lower ends pivotally connected to the frame and their upper .ends pivctally connected .to the ,side plates respectively, achair back mounted on the side plates, andstop Vmeans for limiting the .forward and rearward lmovements of the carriers.

4. In a chair, a frame havingvrol-lers turnably v:rnpuifitedat opposite sides thereof ,i carriers Vhaving waysengaging `therollers for forward and rearward movement thereon, a chair seat mounted on the carriers, and movable forwardly and rearwardly therewith, side plates pivotally connected .to said carriers respectively and having forwardlyupwardly. `inclined `,ways engaging the rollers. for forward-rearward rocking movement.- thereon, rear suppertinglinks having vtheir lower ends pivotallyconnected to theY frame and-.their upper ends pivotallyconnected to the side plates respec- `Itively, a chair vback mounted `on `the side plates, andstop means for vlimiting the forward and rear ward moyementsof the carriers. 'f

5. In achair, a-.irame having rollers turnabl mounted at, V epposite sides thereof, carriers havingenclosed. ways engaging `the rollersfor forward ,and .rearward moven'ientthereon,` a chair seat mounted .on the `.carriers andmovable forwardly andrearwardly therewith, side ,plates piyotally connected tosaid ,carriers Yrespectivelyand having .forwardly-upwardly inclined enclosed ways 'engaging the rollers forforward-rearward rocking ,movement thereon, yrear supporting links having their lower ends pivotally associated with Athe frame and their .upper ends pivotally connected to the side plates respectively, and a. chair back ,mounted on the-side plates, the forward and .rearward, ends of` the. enclosed ways ,on said carriers and said side plates .beingadapted ,to contact .said

rollers to limit the rearward and forward movements respectively of said carriers and said side Plates.

6. In a chair, a. frame having rollers turnably mounted at opposite sides thereof each of said rollers having two peripheral grooves therein, carriers` each having an enclosed way engaging in one groove of a roller for forward and rearward movement thereon, a chair seat mounted on the carriers and movable forwardly and rearwardly therewith, side plates each pivotally connected to a carrier and each having a forwardly-upwardly inclined enclosed way engaging in the other groove of the adjacent roller for forward-rearward rocking movement thereon, rear supporting links having their lower ends pivotally connected to the frame and their upper ends pivotally connected to the side plates respectively, and a chair back mounted on the side plates, the forward and rearward ends of the enclosed ways on said carriers and said side plates being adapted to contact said rollers to limit the rearward and forward movements respectively of said carriers and said side plates.

7. In a chair: spaced, upright chair-supporting standards; mounting members secured to the standards respectively below the seat level; rollers on the upper ends of the mounting members turnable about iixed horizontal axes; carriers having ways engaging the rollers for forward and rearward movement thereon; a chair seat mounted on the carriers and movable forwardly and rearwardly therewith; a chair back having at its opposite sides forwardly extending side plates pivotally connected at their lower ends to the rearward ends of said carriers respectively, said side plates and chair back being movable forwardly and rearwardly with the carriers and turnable about a horizontal axis relative thereto; supporting members having their lower ends pivotally connected to the mounting members respectively below and rearwardly of said rollers; said supporting members extending above the seat level and having their upper ends pivotally connected to the side plates above the pivotal connections of the side plates to the carriers; and stop means for limiting the forward and rearward movements of the chair seat and chair back.

8. In a chair: spaced, upright chair-supporting standards; mounting members secured to the standards respectively below the seat level; rollers on the upper ends of the mounting members turnable about fixed horizontal axes; carriers having ways engaging the rollers for forward and rearward movement thereon; a chair seat mounted on the carriers and movable forwardly and rearwardly therewith; a chair back having at its opposite sides forwardly extending side plates pivotally connected at their lower ends to the rearward ends of said carriers respectively, said side plates and chair back being movable forwardly and rearwardly with the carriers and turnable about a horizontal axis relative thereto; supporting members having their lower ends pivotally connected to the mounting members respectively below and rearwardly of said rollers, said supporting members extending above the seat level and having their upper ends pivotally connected to the side plates above the pivotal connections of the side plates to the carriers; means operatively connecting the carriers with the side plates whereby the angle between the back and seat is decreased during rearward movement thereof and increased during forward movement thereof; and stop means for limiting the forward and rearward movements of the chair seat and chair back.

JOSEPH G. PROSSER. THOMAS W. PROSSER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,213,920 Szymkowiak Jan. 30, 1917 1,456,235 Hard May 22, 1923 2,102,979 Smith Dec. 21, 1937 2,226,861 Hanson Dec. 31, 1940 2,371,256 Nordmark Mar. 13, 1945 2,400,588 McArthur May 21, 1946 

